How to choose a Processor

A CPU is central to the running of your machine, so much so it has ‘central’ in its name. The Central Processing Unit does a multitude of functions within a computer which it ‘sees’ as a much simpler set of logarithmic functions. To the user, this translates to how quick something is to load and react to your input and as such investing in a quality processor is a priority.

So this guide aims to step you through the process of buying a processor (pardon the pun) and getting you through the jargon, tech phrases and threading to make sure you buy the best processor for you.

But first, we start with some ol’ fashioned learning:

What makes a good processor?

This is a relatively simple answer made difficult to find thanks to the miracle of capitalist marketing. In reality, you are looking at only a few things:

Size of cache

Number of cores

Price

Socket type

What helps with this process is the wealth of information on the internet, sites like cpubenchmark.net are designed to show you all the technical jargon of a processor as a simple number, which saves me from writing long and lengthy explanations of everything.

So by now you’re looking at the list seeing how much you can get for your budget. However, before you run off and get a Xeon processor, consider this:

What other parts am I considering getting?

A processor cannot be bought in a vacuum. You have to consider what other parts you are thinking of buying.

Firstly, you need to consider the socket your motherboard has. You do not want to buy a processor which is not compatible with your board. Below is a quick summary of which processor is compatible with which motherboard socket (credit to enzo matrix on Tom’s hardware for the summary):

Secondly, consider how much power your hardware has. Buying a £300 CPU is useless when you only have 2GB of RAM and no graphics card; and buying a £50 processor is a waste when you have 32GB of RAM and a GTX 1080. Your processor should reflect the over level of power of your build.

So in summary, consider the following when you look for a processor:

What socket does my motherboard have? What does that limit me to?

How powerful is the rest of my rig? Will I be utilising all the power and not wasting any power?

Does my processor fit my budget? Is there a better processor for the budget?

See? Pretty simple

So what should I get then?

At this point, you may just be getting a bit sick of all the considerations you need and may just want some simple recommendations. So to finish off, here are some recommendations for Intel and AMD.

AMD

AMD do several bang-for-buck processors for those on a budget. Currently, Ebuyer.com is selling an FX-6300 with a free 120GB SSD for £85.00 which is a steal for any budget gaming build. Higher-end gaming should look at an FX-8350 for less than £150 and is commonly touted as the recommended specification for most high-end games. For the top end AMD processor at commercial levels, the FX-9590 is as hefty as you can get for £220. All these processors use the AM3+ socket on a motherboard.

Intel

For simple gaming such as LOL consider the old but still viable Intel Pentium G3258, a solid and cost effective dual core. Intel is far better though at higher end hardware, with the I3, I5 and I7 range holding the top of the commercial range costing £100 to £1000 depending on power. Scouring second-hand sites you can pick up an Intel Xeon, which can be great bang-for buck for old hardware.

Why have you made this post literally AMD BIAS? You mention AMD like it’s the king? but fail to mention that intel is far more superior? Yes amd is better for value but intel cpu’s are expensive for a reason you pay for what you get….

I have had the same processor for nearly five years and its served me well especially with hardcore gaming. I have an oldish i7 2600K teamed with 16GB RAM and a 980Ti GPU and the i7 works well with them. It rarely maxes out and sometimes only hits %70 – %80 when games are loading. GTA V got the CPU busy due to the amount of activity like cars & people on screen etc.

No matter what processor you have its always best to look at task manager and shut off as many processes as possible. The more you shut off the more free power your CPU and RAM will have.

When I turn my PC on it starts with 55 – 60 processes but I shut a few pointless ones off and run a software that turns more off so it just leaves you with the essential and in a ‘game-ready’ mode. That leaves it at 42 processes and for an i7 theres loads of power left for gaming or internet browsing etc its also good for temp/cooling the less processes the cooler it will run providing you clean your inner case and fan blades etc.

My Goodness, Possibly the worst piece of writing I have seen in a long time and I certainly was left none the wiser. Far too many cliches, and bangs for buck and several meaningless phrases such as the “loagarithmic functions” garbage at the start.

I am sadly with all the other people who have posted on this blog. The writer really needs to look up terms and minimise on using cliches. Nobody would benefit from this article, you might as well have just placed a couple of links to TomsHardware and CPUBenchmark if all that you reference (albeit poorly).

I also agree that this is biased towards AMD processors and there is no mention of the cooling requirements for the high end setups.

This is a blog post where the commentators are giving more useful info than the blogger!!